Disclaimer: As chapter one; so please, for the love of God, do not make me keep writing it out people!

WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE AND SOME SEXUAL REFERENCES (though not too graphic) SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

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Bethan & Lucan

Chapter Thirty-Two – Epilogue

It had been 4 years since the naming ceremony and the twins were thriving. Bethan (now 25) had had another baby; a little girl they named Harmony (now aged 2). For no matter what the problem, her mere presence would bring peace to those around her. She and Tris were a formidable duo, none could stand against them - and her older shamanic brother doted on her to distraction.

Tris was now 9½ and Darry 9, they still visited the graveyard and still received their white feathers; their second little boxes almost full. Neither spoke to their mother and father of it, knowing they suspected and were happy for them to be in contact with their birth parents; albeit in spirit.

Bethan and Gawain (now 40) often spoke of Lucan and Ysabeau…..particularly as the twins were their namesakes. Neither mentioned to each other the fact that the children, now 4½ would occasionally talk to the air; for both knew that their past loves still watched over them all, and both found it strangely comforting.

Bethan's suspicions of peace were well-founded and shortly after the Celts backed down, the Huns raised their banners….however, with the help of the Woads and Merlin, along with Tris, they were swiftly defeated.

Rome had fallen; and though Arthur felt in some ways it was deserved, he had never really forgiven the likes of Germanius and his ilk for the death of Pelagius, he could not help but feel a little sad.

Merlin himself was ageing now; none knew his exact age, though it was evident he was extremely old. But he still visited the fort and argued with Tris about joining his tribe; however the boy remained firm, as his mother suspected he would, and though keen to learn the shaman ways of his brethren, he stayed at the fort. He was, however, becoming a powerful force to be reckoned with; but agreed with his mother, there would never be another Merlin on this earth.

The knights were ageing also, most were now in their forties – a good age in these uncertain times - and were increasingly handing over the fighting to their children that were of age. The knights' numbers were swelling once more, as more and more of their children were becoming eligible; and those of others at the fort. Arthur looked on in wonder and delight as the children's round table grew as well as his own.

Milo had married Suriana that summer; he was 15½ and she was just 15. They were a happy little couple and longed for children… Torvald (14½) and Celeste (just 15) had wed shortly after them. Their romance had not been as obvious, they were both deeply private youngsters, but their attachment had been equally as deep….

Torvald relied heavily on Milo for advice and guidance. Like his father, he was a diplomat and peacemaker – like Lancelot, Milo played the voice of 'devil's advocate' (as Arthur called it) and gave the young prince the not so welcome options they should consider in a fight. They went to battle with the knights, Milo's tactics far outstripping the knights'; and leaving them wondering at the mind of a boy who could out manoeuvre their enemies so quickly, even if not always easily.

Gilly, now 26, had married a Woad fighter who had come regularly with Merlin to visit Tris. It was strange how they had fallen in love….very similar to Lancelot and Amila, warring that turned to loving; and at least, Gilly joked, he now had someone else to break his nose! But they were extremely happy, and she was carrying their first child.

Bors had despaired of his favourite and first born ever marrying; and whilst he was not particularly thrilled at first at it being to a Woad, he was grateful they seemed so happy. However, he now doted on his daughter in law; and the family was a happy if extremely large one, as the older members married off and produced grandchildren.

His relationship with Vanora was as strong as ever, though she was still hitting him round the head…much to his disgust. But he was easily as devoted to her as the other knights were to their wives, just a little less obvious.

Tristan and Sandrina were as devoted to each other as ever. Tristan had had a bad cold which had worsened a few years before; it had been touch and go for a short time and Bethan and Milo watched their mother waste away with their father. Bethan later told Gawain that both she and Milo had discussed the burial so sure were they that their parents would die together. Dagonet and Gawain became the rocks they clung to as they tried to nurse their father and support their mother.

However, Tristan rallied and as a result so had Sandrina. Both children breathed a sigh of relief; but knew the time would come when it would not be so……they were comforted though by the large gentle knight that was Dagonet, the surrogate father they knew they had in him; and Gawain….the other half to Bethan's soul and her guiding light.

The irony of the similarity of their relationships were not lost on her; and she ensured her brother would care for their children should anything happen to either of them, she knew that both she and Gawain would not long outlive the other.

It was, she thought, perhaps a selfish love; in that they would not live without each other, and would therefore leave their children orphaned – but the heart could not help the way it felt, and she knew deep down that if Gawain perished he would take her soul to the gates of death along with his own…..and vice versa.

Tristan was still the same as always – ruthless and chillingly calm when he killed, but the skirmishes that all the knights went on were fewer now as they aged and their children took their places where possible….. Bethan was now the walking double of her father on the battlefield.

Without her knowledge her infamy had spread far and many knew of the witch that walked the battlefield with Arthur, King of the Britons. How she took heads, spilled blood and cursed the enemies of the king; she would ride into battle with eyes that grew black and a calm rage about her that made their enemies quail against her attack.

She always had a wind about her that seemed to guide her fighting, and so her infamy grew….along with the legend that told of Arthur, Merlin and the knights…all killers in their own way….all trying to ensure that Arthur's peace reigned for as long as possible.

Galahad and Alisia had no more children, and you would think he would feel sad; but he and Gawain were closer than ever, and through that Bethan drew closer to Alisia; they shared their children and their lives and the four would often be seen together with all the children sparring around. Galahad's children Ghauth (now aged 12) and Aaleyah (now 11) were especially devoted to little Lucan and Ysabeau…..

Galahad was the only one of the knights' to have not yet reached 40 and still smarted at the fact that at 39 summers he was still considered the 'baby' of them all; he still sulked and whined when he felt either slighted or annoyed, and Gawain would still enquire as to whether that was his 'happy face' to jest him along at such times…. though in truth neither one minded as their bond was so close.

Lancelot had decided that he wanted no more children after the triplets, but fate did not agree and he and Amila had another baby a year before who they called Ella -which was old English for fairy woman…and that the child was. For though dark of hair and eye like her parents, she was small and fey and would wander wherever her heart desired; her devoted companions were Tris, Darry and Harmony. Tris in particular was her most loyal friend, and for her part she would only really obey him; many commented that the two would one day end as Suriana and Milo had. Tris would merely smile his secret smile.

Dagonet and Ilara too were content with Rahil (now 16) betrothed to Bors' Seven and Tanwir (now 14) much enamoured with Aaleyah. Dagonet for his part doted on his sons and also Little Tris…but his especial favourite was, and always would be, Bethan.

As for Tristan; he and the scout had become extremely close over the ensuing 4 years, and indeed found they had much more in common than just their quietness. But it was with Little Tris that they shared so much, the dawn visits to his friends and his 'Angel Papa' and Darry's 'Angel Mama' still took place, and the three – sometimes accompanied by Darry and Harmony too – would always find it strangely comforting that they could have this time to just themselves.

Dagonet knew that if Tristan went before him he would miss the scout more than he could say to anyone; he also knew Tristan felt the same about him. Their affection for each other was always mirthful and/or fairly abrupt, but they both knew their kinship was there and that was enough for them. The gentle giant and the brooding silent man were an unlikely partnership to many, yet they were closer than a lot of blood siblings.

Gawain……Gawain could not believe that even after four years of marriage that he still had to rest with her shirt, if he were away from her for more than one night, just to sleep. But it was a comfort to know she fared the same…he thanked whatever Gods existed that she was still with him and still loved him, that had even brought her to him in the first place.

Ysabeau still owned a small part of his heart…but Bethan owned his soul. He knew she felt the same, and so they found they grew closer with each passing day. Bors often joked that you could no longer see daylight between the two!

Arthur was the most grateful for the way things had turned out up to now. He was Bethan's greatest supporter, after the obvious three of Tristan, Gawain and Dagonet, ever since that day on the battlefield. They still argued, sometimes furiously, and Lancelot would laugh and say she was now the foil to Arthur that he had once been. Bethan had long since guessed that she was the sounding board for Arthur's temper, rather than take it out on others. But hers was equally as fierce and so they whiled away many hours in furious combat…albeit a spoken one.

Yet, when it came to battle she would lay down her life for him as everyone who knew him would…from the man who cleaned the latrines to any of the knights. All loved their king, but she loved him most as a friend.

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In today's society, in the year 2005, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Arthur, his knights and all the others here never existed….that they were merely a figment of someone's over active imagination.

Our crime levels soar, old people are mugged and other people are brutalised.

But take a closer look – see the little boy helping his Mum unload the shopping. The young woman visiting her elderly neighbour to make sure she's coping since her hip replacement. The young man who steps into save the girl being beaten up by her boyfriend.

See the medics who volunteer for Medicines San Frontiere and go to some of the most troubled parts of the world, just to ensure those who need it most get the medical attention they require.

Bethan was right; complete peace for all is an unobtainable ideal…but where possible a lot of us try to ensure a respite from the war for most.

No, the knights lived….so did Merlin….and so did Arthur…King of the Britons. Their legacy is that for most of us we try and do the right thing…to fight on the side of good……

The legend says that Arthur merely sleeps and one day, when Britain needs him most, he will rise again to come to the aid of the country he loved so much.

I believe he's already here, as are his knights. Inside each and every one of us….look around you…can you see a Gawain, a Dagonet or a Tristan? Can you see an Arthur? I can….and I thank God….for I feel in some small way all hope for the future is not lost.

Family Tree of Arthur & His Knights

Arthur married Guinevere – Torvald & Felicia

Lancelot married Amila – Celeste , Suriana, Ehsan, Blythe, Darrel, Hale & Ella.

Tristan married Sandrina – Milo; he also adopted Bethan as his own.

Gawain lover to Ysabeau – Daralis. Ysabeau died aged 30.

Gawain married Bethan (3 years after Ysabeau died) – Ysabeau, Lucan & Harmony; he also adopted Bethan's son by Lucan, Tristan.

Galahad married Alisia (twin sister to Ysabeau) – Ghauth & Aaleyah

Dagonet & Ilara – Adopted Lucan, Rahil and Tanwir.

Bors married Vanora – had 12 children, the oldest was Gilly and numbers One to Eleven.

Bethan – daughter to Tristan. Married Lucan; had one son, Tristan, and was later widowed when Lucan was killed in battle aged 20. She went on to marry Gawain, 2 years after Lucan's death, and have three children with him.

Milo married Suriana. (Milo aged 15½ & Suriana aged 15)

Torvald married Celeste. (Torvald aged 14½ & Celeste aged 15)

Amila cousin to Sandrina.

Sandrina & Amila Great Nieces to Merlin.